The lyrics of Jars of Clay's "I Don't Want You to Forget" tell the story of a person who is deeply in love with someone, but feels like they can't express their true feelings. They keep their emotions hidden away in secret boxes until the day they finally have the courage to reveal themselves. Throughout the song, the person sees the object of their love fading away before their eyes, but they refuse to look away. They're afraid that if they do, the love will completely die away. They don't want their love to be forgotten, no matter how painful it may be. The person understands that their love may be seen as strange or even unwanted, but they can't help how they feel. They refuse to give up on their love and will do whatever it takes to keep it alive. They ask for help in explaining their feelings and hope that their love will be reciprocated, even if it's just for one last chance. The song is a poignant and emotional plea for love and understanding. It showcases the power of love and the desperation that can arise when we feel like we may lose it.